Former youth pastor leads Rams offense after rapid rise

Nate Scheelhaase now directs the Los Angeles Rams offense, a role he secured after a promotion last winter. The 35-year-old coordinator previously served as a youth pastor in Louisville, Kentucky. He describes that early career step as a foundational period for his development in the coaching industry.

Scheelhaase finished his playing career in late 2013 after four years as a starting quarterback at the University of Illinois. He did not initially plan to coach. He married shortly before the 2013 season ended and questioned the job security of professional sports. He called Jason Epperson, a local pastor who had also served as the Illinois team chaplain. Epperson had just accepted a position at Southeast Christian Church, one of the largest congregations in the United States. A youth pastor role was open there. Scheelhaase, a devout Christian raised outside Kansas City, took the job in early 2014.

During his time in Louisville, Scheelhaase visited dozens of high schools. He volunteered as a chaplain for two football teams. His work involved building trust and helping students find common ground. Chris Burke, an ESPN baseball analyst living in the area, noted Scheelhaase’s patience and communication skills during pickup basketball games at the church gym. Scheelhaase also formed a close friendship with Nate Hobbs, a student whose father had recently died. Hobbs later became a defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers.

A specific moment at Eastern High School in 2014 shifted Scheelhaase’s career trajectory. He led a chapel service for the football team and delivered a speech about his background. The players gave little reaction. When the head coach stood up for a pregame address, the room became attentive. Scheelhaase realized that coaching offered a powerful way to influence a group. He returned to Illinois for the 2015 season to coach running backs. He applied the same connection-based approach he used with teenagers to recruit and develop professional players.

Scheelhaase moved to Iowa State as a coordinator in 2023. In 2024, he joined the Rams as an offensive assistant under Sean McVay. His initial role involved using software to draw plays for McVay. McVay called him a special coach and a rising star in 2025. Scheelhaase was promoted to offensive coordinator the following winter. The last four Rams offensive coordinators have since become head coaches.

While interviewing for head coaching jobs last winter, Scheelhaase spoke with Frank Reich, the interim Stanford coach. Both men had backgrounds in ministry. Reich retired as a backup quarterback to attend seminary and serve as a pastor before returning to NFL head coaching. Reich noted in 2019 that coaching, seminary, and pastoring all require long hours. Scheelhaase said his life in Louisville revolved around Sundays. He stated that this schedule still shapes his professional rhythm.

Scheelhaase now has three children. He said working with church leaders provided role models for his approach as a husband and father. He views the connection between pastoral work and coaching as a direct transfer of skills. He believes that understanding people’s journeys allows a leader to ask them to perform difficult tasks. The Rams offense operates under his direction this season.